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SPORTS Saturday 9 September 2017

Mistakes doom Patriots defense in 42-27 loss to Chiefs

By KYLE HIGHTOWER and defensive end Cassius
AP Sports Writer Marsh allowed Hunt to get
FOXBOROUGH, Massachu- behind the defense on his
setts (AP) — Seven months 78-yard romp.
after shutting down the At- “It was different things on
lanta Falcons late in a dra- each one,” safety Devin
matic Super Bowl come- McCourty said. “I gave up
back win, the New England one where I could have
Patriots defense couldn’t definitely played better.
find the brakes Thursday But we’ve got to watch it
night, giving up 28 second- and see.”
half points in a stunning 42- It was a particularly hum-
27 loss to the Kansas City bling debut for Gilmore,
Chiefs. who signed a five-year,
It was the most points al- $65 million contract as a
lowed by New England free agent this offseason.
under coach Bill Belichick, The Patriots hoped he and
with Kansas City piling up Butler would make a formi-
537 yards on offense. So dable duo.
much for another stab at Instead, they both looked
19-0. The Patriots also lost pedestrian Thursday, with
starting linebacker Dont’a both caught at times seek-
Hightower to a knee injury. ing help over the top that
The defense was already didn’t come.
weaker up front following “You’ve got to play with
the retirement of veteran a hungry attitude, and I
linebacker Rob Ninkovich don’t think we did that as a Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) scores a touchdown past New England Patriots
and the departure of de- team,” Gilmore said. cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Sept. 7,
fensive end Chris Long in The Patriots offense looked 2017, in Foxborough, Mass.
free agency, so Hightower’s as expected at times, scor-
absence could be an es- ing two early touchdowns Belichick’s first season in mood in the locker room. how tough teams are,”
pecially destabilizing blow. and taking a 17-7 lead New England in 2000, only “Eric’s not going to allow Patriots offensive lineman
Long strikes proved the big- with quick-strike drives and two quarterbacks have that to happen,” Reid said, Nate Solder said. “We’ve
gest problem, including a Brady spreading the ball passed for at least 300 yards adding that the four-time got to give everything
75-yard touchdown catch around the field. and four touchdowns with- Pro Bowl selection would we’ve got to win a game.”
by Tyreek Hill to give Kan- Other times they were stag- out an interception: Drew remain part of the team. “I SIGNS OF AGING? In his
sas City its first lead early in nant, including getting Brees in 2009, and now Alex told him to get his coach- first game as a 40-year-old,
the third quarter, and a 78- stopped twice on fourth- Smith, who passed for 368 ing career started.” Brady completed 16 of 36
yard touchdown catch by down runs. yards and four scores. BANNER NIGHT: Patriots fans passes for 267 yards and
Kareem Hunt in the fourth But tight end Rob SUPER BOWL TURNAROUND? came to celebrate the un- zero touchdowns. His .444
quarter that put the Chiefs Gronkowski said the short- The last three times the Pa- veiling of a fifth Super Bowl completion percentage
back in front for good. comings were hardly just a triots lost their opener they banner and to boo Com- was the sixth-worst in his
The secondary blundered defensive problem. He said went on the win the Super missioner Roger Goodell, 272-game career (includ-
throughout. Cornerback everything about the loss Bowl. They bounced back still angry about the intermi- ing playoffs).
Malcolm Butler’s pass in- was “a wakeup call.” to win the championship in nable “Deflategate” scan- “We had it handed to us
terference in the end zone They were left with noth- 2001, 2003, 2014. dal that resulted in Brady’s on our own field,” he said.
set up Hunt’s 3-yard touch- ing to do but look forward BERRY OUT: Chiefs safety four-game suspension. “It’s a terrible feeling, and
down reception in the sec- to their Week 2 trip to New Eric Berry left the game with But few in the crowd re- the only people that can
ond quarter. Orleans. “When they score what coach Andy Reid mained when the Chiefs do something about it are
Stephon Gilmore also bad- 42 points and beat you on feared was a torn Achilles celebrated at the end of in that locker room.
ly blew a coverage on opening night, there aren’t tendon that would keep the game. We’ve got to dig a lot
Hill’s long touchdown. And really any positives,” safety him out for the rest of the “You can’t take for grant- deeper than we did, be-
with Hightower sidelined, Duron Harmon said. season. But the coach said ed how talented, how well- cause we didn’t dig very
linebacker Kyle Van Noy RARE COMPANY: Since the injury didn’t spoil the coached, how skilled and deep tonight.”q